Book Review: Letters to a Young Poet

“So you mustn’t be frightened, if a sadness rises in front of you, larger than any you have ever seen; if an anxiety, like light and cloud-shadows, moves over your hands and over everything you do. You must realise that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall.” ~ Letters to a Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke

Confession: I have never read any poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke. But you can bet your ass that after reading these letters, I will be, very soon. The above quote just embodies the book. Rilke writes to a young poet in search for advice, but instead of critiquing his work, they strike up a friendship and he writes to him about how to live his life, or how to deal with loneliness and the nature of writing.

Kappus, the man Rilke was writing to, was only 19 when they first started corresponding. I’m also 19. Kappus was a poet in search for advice from someone who has experienced the condition. I’m a poet, and I would love to pick a poet I admire’s brain for advice.

But overall, it’s just beautifully written, doesn’t take long to get through, and very touching.